'Many don’t really work and sticking with them can just prolong the misery,’ it says.

‘With little guidance on what does work, many women just experiment with products or suffer.’

NAMS asked a panel of experts to review medical literature on the topic.

They found solid evidence of the effectiveness of hypnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy – including counselling, sleep advice and relaxation techniques.

In one study, women who had hypnosis five times a week had a dramatic reduction in the number and severity of hot flushes.

Acupuncture was another treatment rubbished by the North American Menopause Society

The guidelines also recommend some prescription drugs, including the anti-depressant Seroxat and the epilepsy drug gabapentin.

However, herbal supplements, including popular black cohosh tablets, evening primrose oil and ginseng, are unlikely to work, NAMS says.

Exercise, yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic also lack evidence that they give relief.

Dr Janet Carpenter, who led the panel, said: ‘Many women try one thing after another and it is months before they stumble on something that truly works.

'This information will be critical in maximising the selection of the most effective therapies.’

Charles Kingsland, of the Hewitt Fertility Centre at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said HRT was the most effective treatment, although the placebo effect – the mere belief that something will work – means other options appear helpful to start with.

‘What you have to be careful of are the things that may be harmful, not only to your health but to your pocket,’ he said.

‘In the menopause, general well-being is essential. Exercise the body and mind.

‘So many women in my menopause clinic have such low self-esteem, sometimes I think that’s often the worst thing. That’s where all the psychotherapy stuff comes in.’